Top Considerations and Steps To Take Before Moving Away from Home
Whether it’s to a new state or just down the road, moving to a new home is the start of a new beginning. Moving allows you to create new connections on personal and professional levels that wouldn’t have been made otherwise.
While there are many advantages to moving, there are also a few considerations to be mindful of before doing so. The guide below will dive deeper into the steps to take to help ensure you’re prepared for the upcoming move.
Develop a Moving Strategy
Even if you know your destination when moving, you may not exactly know how you’re going to get there. Developing a moving strategy before the big day allows you to answer common questions like what boxes go where, who’s moving what, and how you’re loading the furniture without feeling rushed.
This is also a great opportunity for you to coordinate with movers or others who’ve offered assistance along the way. When creating a moving plan, consider things like:
- When you’re able to move into your new home;
- When you need to be out of your current home;
- Where you’ll store your belongings until your new home is ready;
- Whether or not the move can be done in a single day or needs to be split into multiple;
- Tools and supplies you may need to help with packing and moving.
Moving plans are great as long as you stick to the timeline. Give yourself some wiggle room that allows time for mishaps (such as running out of supplies or a flat tire in the moving truck) to help prepare further.
Double Check Your Finances
Moving can be a great expense, especially when moving out of state. This is why it’s important to make sure you’re able to financially cover the cost of moving. The amount you can expect to spend on moving will depend on a few factors:
- Where you’re moving;
- If you’re hiring a moving company/additional help;
- Supplies and tools you intend on using;
- Vehicle(s) you’re using to move (this includes standard maintenance and gas for long-distance trips).
A few tips to consider before your move is to configure your banking accounts to ensure expenses are balanced and up-to-date. If able, set a budget for the move ahead of time. This will require you to keep diligent track of your expenses regarding the move to make sure you’re staying within the budget.
Acquire Packing Supplies
As mentioned above, there are a few tools and supplies that could significantly help with the moving process. Let’s take a closer look at what supplies to get before moving:
- Box knife;
- Bubble wrap (or anything to help cushion fragile belongings);
- Cardboard boxes in varying sizes;
- Cargo straps;
- Dollie;
- Furniture pads/moving blankets;
- Marker bold enough for labeling;
- Packing tape;
- Pen and paper (for organization);
- Scissors;
- Screwdriver and/or drill (to breakdown furniture);
- Trash/recycling bins.
These items can be found at most local hardware and office supply stores. You can even ask friends and family for extra boxes to help cut back on costs. Be sure to locate the nearest place to buy these items near your new home in case you need more items mid-move.
Go Through All Your Belongings and Get Rid of Things Along the Way
A great way to facilitate the moving process is by getting rid of unwanted items along the way. While you’re packing, consider if you truly need that item. Separate unwanted items into bags or boxes and set them aside to be donated or sold.
If time allows, you may consider hosting a moving sale. In doing so, you’re completing the task of getting rid of unwanted items, while also bringing in funds that could be used for the move.
Any item that is gently used that you’re not able to sell should be donated to a local non-profit, homeless shelter, or woman and children’s facility. Always be sure to check with your local shelters before donating to verify what items they do and do not accept.
Establish Medical Care Closer to Your New Home
Those moving to a new city or state will need to establish medical care closer to their new home. This includes:
- Physical and mental health services;
- Dental care;
- Vision care.
It’s important to note that your current insurance may be out-of-network in your new area. Check with your current provider to verify coverage information if you wish to maintain the same insurance. Be mindful of the idea that you may need to inquire about new medical insurance after the move.
In the meantime, utilize your current insurance while you’re still in-network. It may be worthwhile to schedule appointments for specialized treatments like dry eye services, Lasik, EVO ICL surgery, or other vision correction procedures before you finalize the move. This can help make it easier to move and simplify the care you pursue in the new location.
In doing so, you should also communicate with your current medical providers that you are moving and ask them what you’ll need to do to transfer current records to a new provider.
Know How To Pack Properly
You may think that there is no wrong way to pack. However, by prioritizing certain actions, you can certainly make your moving process less stress-inducing.
When packing, do:
- Get rid of items along the way;
- Figure out how many boxes you’ll need beforehand;
- Label every box (label what room the box goes in if it’s fragile/heavy, and what items are in that box);
- Leave a bag or box of essentials (like medical supplies, pet items, kids toys, change of clothes, and toiletries) out and easy to access during all points of the move;
- Leave your clothes on a hanger;
- Wrap plastic around items with an opening that may spill or leak;
- Ask for help when needed.
In addition, don’t:
- Overpack items into a box;
- Leave everything last minute;
- Stay up all night before moving day;
- Empty dresser drawers;
- Pack valuable/fragile items at the bottom of the box or moving truck.
Keep in mind the more organized you are while packing, the easier it will be to unpack.
Update Your Mailing Address
One major part of moving that’s easy to overlook is updating all records to reflect your new address. In doing so, you’ll also need to change your mailing address through the United States Postal service. It costs $1.10 to complete and submit the form online where you’ll be asked to provide your name, email address, what type of move it is (temporary or permanent), your old address, and your new address.
You’ll also need to update any personal record that requires proof of address with your new one. This includes:
- Employee records;
- Subscription services;
- Insurance information;
- Bank accounts.
It may take some time for the move to fully reflect on all accounts. Try to forward your mail to the new address as soon as you’re able to help speed the process along.
Transfer Utilities
If you are moving to a new home within the same city, you’ll need to contact your current electric, gas, sewer, water, Wi-Fi, and cable providers to update them on the move. Be sure to inform them of the last day in your current home and when you’ll be officially moved into your new one so they can keep utilities running between both until no longer needed.
If you’re moving out of state, you’ll need to contact the current utility providers to terminate all services. Take a moment before the move to research utility providers in your new area. Waiting to do so until after you’re there could add to the stress of moving to a new state.
Prepare Your Current Home for Moving Out
Once everything is packed and ready to go, it’s time to prepare your home for the final goodbye. Listed below are a few tips on preparing your current home for moving out:
- Do one last, thorough sweep-through of every room for personal belongings;
- Conduct a deep clean yourself or hire a cleaning company to tidy up the home after you’re entirely moved out;
- Make any necessary repairs or modifications to anything that is to be left for the next owners (this includes but isn’t limited to maintaining appliances, replacing light bulbs, and repainting).
Of course, this to-do list could be more extensive depending on your plans for the home after you’re gone, especially if you wish to sell.
Say Goodbye to Your Current Neighborhood
As odd as it may sound, it’s normal to feel a sense of attachment to your current neighborhood. For some, a move will entail leaving the place where they started a family and built memories that’ll last a lifetime. Take the time to appreciate all those times and take a look back at all the neighborhood has done for you. In doing so, you’re closing a chapter to an old life but embracing the beginning of a new one.
Be sure to talk to one of our doctors about not only the benefits of vision correction, but also any risks of vision correction that may pertain to your individual needs and circumstances.